FDA To Re-examine Safety Of Metal Hips

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day meeting in June to discuss growing safety concerns about metal-on-metal hip replacements, which recent studies suggest are more likely to fail than traditional plastic hips.

Metal hip joints have been under scrutiny due to reports of pain and swelling that have sometimes required removal. In 2010, Johnson & Johnson recalled roughly 93,000 implants. The FDA already asked device companies to conduct additional follow-up studies to monitor problems with the implants.

The agency says it will hold a two-day meeting beginning June 27 to consider whether more rigorous testing standards are needed.

Earlier this month, British experts said doctors should stop using metal hip joints because data show they have to fixed or replaced more often than older implants.